Congressmen from Poconos differ sharply on fiscal cliff

Saturday

Dec 29, 2012 at 12:01 AM

While the public watches whether Congress defies the year-end fiscal cliff or compromises on looming 2013 tax hikes and spending cuts, Monroe County's new Republican congressman makes clear who he believes is responsible for the chaos.

DAVID PIERCE

While the public watches whether Congress defies the year-end fiscal cliff or compromises on looming 2013 tax hikes and spending cuts, Monroe County's new Republican congressman makes clear who he believes is responsible for the chaos.

The blame goes to congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama, said U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, in a written statement Friday.

"House Republicans have not only passed legislation that will avert the effects of the fiscal cliff," said Marino, whose district will include the north-central part of Monroe County beginning next week, "Republican leaders have even offered a proposal that would raise tax rates on top earners."

Republican House Speaker John Boehner proposed a bill to raise income tax rates on millionaires from 35 percent to 39 percent, but withdrew it before a vote took place after Boehner learned his own Republican caucus wouldn't approve it. President Obama has insisted on raising tax rates on income in excess of $250,000.

Marino, who already represents all of Pike County, noted the Republican-controlled House previously approved and sent to the Democratic Senate a bill that would extend the expiring Bush-era tax cuts for all taxpayers. But Democrats insist on wasteful and ineffective spending, he wrote.

"House Republicans have already passed legislation that will extend tax cuts for the middle class, but it is the Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid, and President Obama who are refusing to compromise," he wrote. "As the House waits for action from Senate leadership, I will continue to work for the people of Pennsylvania's 10th District and will remain committed to seeing that Americans do not bear the brunt of a $550 billion tax hike."

U.S. Rep.-elect Matt Cartwright, D-17, who takes office next week in a new district that includes eastern Monroe County, the West End and some of the mountain townships, has low expectations for averting the fiscal cliff before then. There just isn't enough time for a wide-ranging compromise on spending and revenue, he said in a phone interview.

"If they do anything it will be a Band-Aid solution for the next Congress," Cartwright said.

Cartwright campaigned on raising tax rates on earnings exceeding $1 million. He supports "modest" defense cuts, including reducing American military personnel around the world, and eliminating "waste" in Medicare.

But Cartwright is adamantly opposed to any reductions in Social Security retirement benefits.

"That's a nonstarter for me," Cartwright said. "We will not balance the budget on the backs of people who can least afford it."

The best thing Congress can do is settle on long-range spending and tax policies, so businesses have the certainty they need to invest in economic recovery, Cartwright said.

"The economy is poised to take off," Cartwright said. "That's our salvation. I see getting the economy moving again is the answer."

Lower unemployment will reduce jobless benefit claims while bringing in more tax revenue, he said.

All of Monroe County is currently part of the 11th Congressional District, represented by Republican Lou Barletta of Hazleton. The state Legislature approved new congressional boundaries that will entirely remove Monroe County from the 11th District next week.